I have always been one of those people who enjoyed accomplishing things on my own. As a person with a physical disability (I walk with crutches and use a wheelchair) this has not been such an easy task. The perception of society toward people with visible disabilities continues to be a perception of someone who is 'helpless' or 'not able.' Of course, the word we use to describe someone with an impairment is "dis-abled" which only adds to the misconceptions. Because of my disability, I have seen such goodness in the public. Help has always been offered to me in times when it appeared I needed assistance. For example, I have always been really good at making a spectacle of myself when I fall. Logically, when you think about it, someone who has problems walking would fall much more often than someone who walks without a problem. Because I have had this difficult all my life, I was taught how to fall without hurting myself when I was very young.
When I do fall, I fall big! The amazing thing about this is everytime I fall, at the very least four people, strangers I have never met, offer to help me up. It does not fail. I have never in my life fallen and not been offered assistance from a total stranger. This has reinforced my faith in humanity. Although, most of the instances where I have fallen, I have rarely needed help and usually decline assistance.
The difference between me and many others in my situation is I never saw society's perceptions toward disability as valid. I always felt, and by the way, was always guided toward the idea that I could do anything I set my mind on doing. The old cliche, "Where there is a will, there is a way," never was cliche in my world.
In conclusion, every day I feel blessed just to be here, a part of this world. As imperfect as it is, I hope to be able to educate through patience, understanding, and most importantly, humor. Equipped with these tools, I can see the possibilities and the power that it holds.
by Cecilia Zwanzig/www.onpurposeliving.net
